Device for manufacturing hollow glass articles

Abstract

A device for manufacturing hollow glass article consists of a plurality of modular stations that, among other things, comprise blank molds and finish molds, wherein a housing is provided and can be displaced along a blank mold side in order to carry out at least control and servicing functions, and wherein said housing is formed by a key-like structure that is open in the direction of the blank mold side and serves as a carrier for at least one manipulation element consisting of multiple sections. On its free end, this manipulation element carries a tool or a device that is ready for use after it has reached the respective station. The shielding effect of the housing reliably protects an operator side against accidents due to inadvertent interventions in machine motion sequences.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for manufacturing hollow glass articles, comprising:
 a machine frame, wherein the machine frame is configured to hold an arrangement of molds for carrying out a glass forming process; and 
 a carrier system configured to be moved along the machine frame and stopped at defined positions along the machine frame, the carrier system comprising:
 a housing, wherein the housing is open in at least a direction facing toward the machine frame; 
 an engagement bracket arrangement configured such that the housing is suspended on and movable along a rail guide of the machine frame; and 
 at least one manipulation element arranged within the housing, wherein a free end of the at least one manipulation element is configured to guide at least one of a tool, a measuring element, a control device, and a servicing device, and further wherein the free end of the at least one manipulation element is configured to be movable between an active position, in which the at least one manipulation element faces a point of use on or within the machine frame, and an inactive position, in which the at least one manipulation element is retracted into the housing of the carrier system. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier system can be moved along a blank mold side of the device. 
     
     
       3. The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the housing comprises a plurality of walls, and wherein at least one of the walls is closed. 
     
     
       4. The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the housing comprises a plurality of walls, and wherein at least one of the walls is at least partially configured as a screen-type wall. 
     
     
       5. The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one manipulation element has multiple joints. 
     
     
       6. The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one manipulation element carries at least one tool or device. 
     
     
       7. The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one tool is a spraying device for discharging a lubricant. 
     
     
       8. The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one tool is a gripper configured for taking hold of and handling machine elements. 
     
     
       9. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a plurality of walls, and wherein at least one of the walls is closed. 
     
     
       10. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a plurality of walls, and wherein at least one of the walls is at least partially configured as a screen-type wall. 
     
     
       11. The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the engagement bracket arrangement is provided with two brackets that are spaced apart from one another and designed for engaging with the guide. 
     
     
       12. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the engagement bracket arrangement is provided with two brackets that are spaced apart from one another and designed for engaging with the guide. 
     
     
       13. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one manipulation element has multiple joints. 
     
     
       14. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one manipulation element carries at least one tool or device. 
     
     
       15. The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one tool is a spraying device for discharging a lubricant. 
     
     
       16. The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one tool is a gripper configured for taking hold of and handling machine elements. 
     
     
       17. The device according to  claim 1 , the measuring element is a thermometer. 
     
     
       18. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the control device and the servicing device comprises a camera configured for measuring and monitoring purposes. 
     
     
       19. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the servicing device is one of an installation or handling device for carrying out machine adjustments. 
     
     
       20. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tool, measuring element, control device, or servicing device carried on the free end of the at least one manipulation element is functionally connected to a machine control.